Pennsylvania Veteran FarmING Project

Looking back, looking ahead

As 2018 slams the barn door tonight, and with 2019 lurking outside waiting to come in from the rain, we’re taking a quick look back at the year. It’s been one of growth both for our network members, and for our network.

With a lot of help, we're connecting veteran farmers and agribusiness owners with each other and members of the civilian ag community for mentorship, educational resources, and marketing information. In 2019 we’ll seat our new Advisory Board to help ensure that our activities stay solution-based and targeted to actual needs.

Thanks to those of you who have shared our information with fellow veterans and members of the military community our website, Facebook page and e’newsletter have become go-to resources for events and workshops, grants and financial programs, and maybe best of all, stories of veteran farmers doing good and doing well.

Several of you have obtained assistance with —research, letters of support, and guidance on proposals. Thanks to Heritage Farms, we awarded our first mini-grant to a beginning farmer, Tim Wagner (R).

In 2019 we’ll seek support to offer another award. Other inbound requests have been for technical assistance connections (FSA, NRCS, Extension, SCORE, etc.), emergency assistance, and suggestions for site visits for mentoring.

In some cases, you’ve had a resource to offer fellow veterans. A Kutztown veteran has a stockpile of oak shavings and is seeking a fellow veteran interested in developing a home. Let us know if you’re interested and we’ll connect you!

The PA Veteran Farming Project does not have 501c3 status but is fiscally sponsored by the Westmoreland Conservation District, a unit of sub-government, so donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Your check payable to WCD in the memo line can be mailed to: WCD, 218 Donohoe Road, Greensburg PA 15601.